FromNowUntilForeverBook8.5x5.5 REV.indd

returns to earth a second time at the conclusion of the tribula- tion. Armageddon is the designated name of this monumental campaign. Coming from the Hebrew Har Megedon (Mount of Megiddo), this term appears only once in the Bible (Revela- tion 16:16). Armageddon is called a campaign by many because it will consist of a series of battles over an extended amount of time and geography. And though some see this as a symbolic location, the fact that it is the site of many decisive clashes in the Old Testament makes it a fitting location for the “war to end all wars” to take place. Armageddon was also predicted by numerous Old Testament prophets (Daniel 11: 40-45, Joel 3:9- 17, Zechariah 14:1-3). Let’s do a deep dive into the series of events connected with Armageddon, looking first at its inauguration. The campaign will begin with the sixth bowl judgment (see Revela- tion 16:12-16).When the angel pours out his contents on the Euphrates, this great river will dry up, paving the way for the Antichrist to assemble his forces for battle. It’s worth noting that even though reference was made to a mountain, the actual gathering of forces will occur in the adjacentValley of Jezreel.As one prophetic teacher stated, “The battlefield will be a large plain in northern Israel. Because the land of Palestine and the capital city of Jerusalem will be- come the center of world power by the end of the tribulation, it is not surprising that the final battle of the ages will occur here.” 342 Two additional passages mention this catastrophic event: 1) The prophet Joel records, “Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare a war; rouse the mighty men! Let all the soldiers draw near, let them come up! Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears; Let the weak say,‘I am a mighty man.’ Hasten and

60